Recent content by BigOwl

I haven't been here for a while, so bear with me if I repeat something that's already shown up in the forum. I have genetically high cholesterol, and have been on mega doses of Lipitor (80 mg) and Niaspan (2000 mg) for over fifteen years (since bypass surgery to deal with forty years of...

All my research indicates that 2.0-3.0 and 2.5-3.5 are common under a variety of circumstances. Mine is 2.5-3.5 with a mechanical valve with no complications. My clinic (I'm still being tested every two weeks four months post-op) is happy with 2.3-3.5; I've maintained 2.5-2.7 now for several...

It all seems to depend on combinations of factors: what kind of valve, diet, etc. Even though I'm not supposed to "diet the dose," if I notice a worse than usual bruise, I head for the spinach; if my INR has been a little low (2.3) I have an extra glass of wine. So far, even though I was really...

Welcome, Rhena, from another (although accidental) Texan. I didn't seek a second opinion because I've managed to build a trust-group consisting of my DO (PCP) and my cardio, and my more-or-less accidental surgeon--all of whom have worked together to bring me to four months post-op feeling...

My clinic charges $21 per poke. My high-dollar BCBS pays $3.50. I pay nothing. Don't tell me that sticking me, putting the blood on the strip, and putting it in the machine costs more than that $3.50, even counting the tech's time (since the whole process takes less than a minute). The...

This seems to answer my question about my uncle's clinic having him take a small dose of vit. K every day and then eat all the green leafys he wants to. Sounds like a plan to me.

You're a bit of a young'n, Coach, what with bein' only 54, but I wish you well. I even envy your OnX, because that was my option (but my damage was too extensive and I ended up with something more conventional), so you should do well. Do what you feel like doing, when you feel like doing it...

I've had infrequent migraines over the past year, always preceded by a jagged 3D aura. I had one while I was having my pre-surgery cath, and they medicated me for it on the table. Nothing as dramatic as yours, though. For a normal migraine, my oncologist father-in-law long ago prescribed four...

CRP, as Tobagotwo has indicated, is a measure of nonspecific inflammation. There's a supplement, manufactured by New Chapter, that can be helpful (Zyflamend) if they can't determine exactly where the inflammation is coming from. It's composed of some fairly standard herbs (rosemary, ginger...

I know we're not supposed to diet the dose, but when I landed a nasty bruise a week and a half before a test, I had a couple of nice salads for dinner and relaxed. When I went in for testing I was actually down to 2.3, but the tech said not to worry. She upped my dose a little for that night...

My uncle, who's been on warfarin for ten years because of a-fib, has been assigned a small dose of vit. K per day, plus all the greeny things he can eat. His levels are stable and he's happy as a clam. Dr. Gourmet is selling stuff, plain and simple. I'll stick to my gut diet, plus the online...

My favorite part of the trip is from Ash Fork Arizona to Barstow, where I turn north to get to 395. I made that trip by myself just before my bypass surgery--much to the astonishment and chagrin of my husband and family--and damn near didn't make it. Still, it was the road trip of a lifetime...

I just posted elsewhere about the emphasis in my hospital on respiration--using the sprirometer faithfully, and going through an inhalation therapy regime while hospitalized. Post-surgical pneumonia is unfortunately quite common and can be deadly. What does your pulmonologist say about your...

Most cardiologists love yoga for their patients because of its multiple benefits. Laura, you're far enough along post-surgery that you should be fine. I'm three months post and have started some "Yin" yoga at home (mostly slow stretching positions). Eventually I'll get back into a regular...

My only objection to stuff like Ambien is the potential for side effects, some of which are really scary. A milder anti-anxiety med like Valium might do the trick without the potential for weirdness.